Centrifugal machine



Oct. i2,6, 1926.

F. STINDT CENTRIFUGAL 'MACHINE Filed 'June 5, 1925' A rrofmfr.;

narran avare s frail-n T veinen.

FREDEBCK STNDT, OE LYNDl-URST, JEV JERSEY1 -ASSIGNDP TD S. S. LIEPVJ'ORTH COMIPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A GOBEGRATEON F ITE'W YGRK.

GENTRIFUGAL MACHINE."

Application led June 3,

My invention relates to centrifugal machines; and particularly to an improved valve construction for open bottom baskets. The object of my invention is to provide a valve which may be readily assembled or removed from position without disturbing the connection between the shaft and basket; or between the shaft and its driver.

ln the accompanyingdrawing- Fig. 1 is a broken side elevation of a ccntrifugal basket and casing showing my iin provedsvalve in position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged broken plan view of the valve alone; y

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the detachable seg; ment of the valve handling` member; and

Figs. l and 5 are respectively sections onv the lines 1 4 and 5 5; Fig. 2.

A centrifugal basket of the type to which my invention relates is suspended at the lower end of a driving shaft attached to the basket bottom 16 by its central hub 17. The hub is connected by ribs 18 to the body of the casting to afford a central discharge openingfor the basket, while the .shaft 15 is secured to the hub 17 b y suitable machine screws or bolts 19 which take into the coned lower end 2O of the shaft.

To close the discharge opening during the feed of wet material, such as molasses, to the interior of the basket, a valve disc is commonly provided which surrounds the spindle 15 and may be lifted upward on the latter to permit the discharge of the dried material, such as sugar, from the basket. Ordinarily the valve is in the form of a one-piece casting; which is placed upon the spindle before the latter is secured to the basket bottom 16. To replace such a valve it is necessary to disconnect the spindle from the basket, or alternatively to disconnect the spindle from its top drive, and slip the new valve upon the shaft, after which the connections must be reestablished. Either operation is time consuming and didicult.

By my invention I have provided a valve which may be readily placed upon the shaft without disturbing either the shaft connection to the basket bottom or to its drive.

In the form shown the valve comprises a sheet metal disc 21 centrally apertured to fit the cone 2O at the foot of the spindle, and split transversely at 22 so that its ends 23 and 24 may be warped or spread as indicated n dotted lines, Fig. l, to pass the Serial No.V 34,643.

spindle 15 into or from the .central opening 25 of the valve disc.

Jissociated with the valve disc proper and `secured to its upper face, is a handle or lifting member. This is preferably in the form 3 'passed transversely upon the spindle and secured to the valve plate 21. Thereafter the segment 26 may be fitted between the ends 28 and 29 ofthe segment 27 and also .secured to the valve plate 21.

The valve handle is provided with an upturned lip 30 sufficiently `spaced from the coned end of the spindle 15 to receive the end of a lifting hook, suchy as commonly used for removing;` the valve from closure position. The wall of the channel formed by the lip 30 is appropriately apertured at 31 to permit the escape of liquid therefrom.

The base of the handle is riveted to the valve plate 21 at appropriate points 32; and is also preferably provided with a lug 33 which yoverlies the split 22 in the valve plate 21. This lug' is riveted at 34 to both ends 23 and 24 of the valve plate and secures the ends firmly together in register. The segment 26 is also provided. with a lip 35, which registers with the lip 30; and its base is riveted at 86 to the valve plate in like manner. It is also provided with a lug 37 diametrically opposite the lug 33 (to balance the latter) and provided with a like number of rivets in order that the structure may be symmetrical around the axis of the shaft.

When a valve unit 0f the present type becomes defective it is merely necessary to lift it yon the shaft 15 to a convenient point, for example above the top of the basket casing S8, where it may be rested upon a couple of planks temporarily spaced acrossthe casing on. opposite ends of the shaft. The rivets which hold the handle and valve plate together may then be sheared and the valve removed. The new valve plate and handle parts are passed transversely upon thespindleand riveted together, the planks removed and the valve unit lowered to position in the basket.

lll

shaft, and means for uniting the split ends of the valve plate to maintainy them in register'.

2. A valve for use Vith a centrifugal basket having a central bottom suspension surrounded by a discharge opening, said valve comprising a split valve plate adapted to be passed transversely onto the suspension shaft, together With valve handling means secured to said plate and serving to secure the split Yends of the plate in register.

3. A valve for use With a Centrifugal basket having a central bottom suspension surrounded by a discharge openino', said valve comprising a split valve plate adapted to be passedY transversely onto the suspension shaft, together with a split annulus embracing the shaft and constituting valve handling means secured to said plate and serving to hold its ends in register.

l; A valve for use with a centrifugal basket having a central bottoni suspension surrounded by a discharge opening, said valve comprising a split valve plate adapted to be passed transversely onto the suspension shaft, together With a balanced handling member adapted to overlie and be secured to said valve plate and to hold its split ends in register.

5. A valve unit for use with a centrifugal basket having a central bottom suspension snifrounded by a discharge opening, said valve unitcomprising a pair of split meinbers adapted vto embrace the shaft and be secured together, the split areasrof said members lying on opposite sides ofthe shaft in assembled position, one `of said members constituting a valve plate and the other member constituting a valve handling device.

ln testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

l FREDERICK srinnr. 

